The present review assesses the effects of HIV/AIDS and sexual health education on young people's sexual behaviour. (Sixty-eight reports were reviewed.) The review includes a presentation of the studies, with a discussion of the key findings under each study type; conclusions, drawn from the data, about the impact of HIV and sexual health education on young people's sexual behaviour; a discussion of the methodological problems that have compromised this body of literature; a listing of features of successful programmes; a look at questions arising from the social context in which education takes place; and implications arising from this review and other research in this area. The primary intention of this review is to inform policymakers, programme planners and educators about the impact of HIV and sexual health education on the sexual behaviour of young people.